What does it mean to treat someone less favorably due to their race?

Treating someone less favorably due to their race is defined as discrimination. This concept refers to the unjust or prejudicial treatment of individuals based on specific characteristics, which in this case is race. Discrimination manifests in various forms, such as limiting opportunities, access, or rights for individuals based on their racial identity. This behavior is widely recognized as unethical and is often prohibited by laws and human rights policies.

Furthermore, the other terms provided play a significant role in understanding the broader context of equality and fairness. Fair treatment implies that everyone should be treated justly and without bias, which contrasts with discrimination. Equal opportunity focuses on providing the same chances to all individuals regardless of their background, strongly opposing discriminatory practices. Lastly, merit-based assessment emphasizes evaluating individuals based on their abilities or qualifications rather than any inherent or irrelevant traits such as race, further supporting the idea that discrimination undermines true meritocracy.